Apply Now Request Information Schedule a Visit

Medical Lab Tech

Program Codes: ASMEDLT
Associate of Science

The science of laboratory medicine is an essential link in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical diseases and disorders. The medical laboratory professional is an integral part in the health care team, working closely with the medical staff of doctors and nurses to seek quality laboratory results within a relatively short period of time.

The duties of a Medical Laboratory Technician include performing specimen collection, analysis, test resulting and consultation with the medical staff as necessary. These technicians are also responsible for routine maintenance, calibration, quality control, troubleshooting and upkeep of laboratory equipment and documentation.

The MLT works under the direction and supervision of Medical Technologists as well as a Medical Director and/or a Pathologist. The MLT may work in any or all of the sections of the laboratory including Hematology, Coagulation, General Chemistry, Special Chemistry/Automated Chemistry, Immunology, Serology, Urinalysis, Blood Banking, and Microbiology. It is important that these professionals develop the skills necessary to adequately perform the duties required of their profession.

The MLT Program curriculum is accredited by
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: 847-939-3597 or 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886, with access to email through
naaclsinfo@naacls.org or the website: naacls.org

The students, upon completion of the Associate Degree requirements from MNE will meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the Board of Registry examination for the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The integrated two-year curriculum consists of a balance of liberal studies, science and technical laboratory courses. The AS of MLT must be completed within 5 years of enrollment in MLT 111/112.

The students will complete a clinical lab externship where they will obtain hands-on learning in a clinical laboratory environment. The clinical lab externship will provide the students with the opportunity to transition from the classroom setting into the clinical environment while under the close supervision and guidance of experienced laboratory professionals.

The clinical laboratory externship component of the curriculum requires a total of 400 clinical hours. The clinical externship will take place over 10 weeks in the semester and the students will be expected to stay on site for a typical 40 hour workweek.

An adequate number of clinical facilities within Erie County have committed their support to the program. In order to participate in the clinical lab externship, the students must submit documentation of appropriate immunizations, recent TB test and toxicology screen, if required. In addition the student is required to obtain the requested security clearances of the clinical facilities, as well as acceptable results from the PA Child Abuse History Certification, PA Criminal Record Check and FBI fingerprint based criminal record check.

The MLT Program Technical Standards:

  • Sufficient visual acuity to read small font text, to read text presented on a video or computer monitor; to recognize and identify instrument communication lights and/or readouts; to distinguish cells under high power light microscopy by means of color differences, morphology, granulation patters, etc.; to recognize differences in morphology for bacterial colonies growing on solid media; to identify color, clarity, and viscosity of body fluid, etc.
  • Sufficient proficiency in the English language to read and comprehend complex scientific literature, to write technical papers and reports, to communicate effectively orally with other English speakers. International students must comply with APSU requirements regarding the TOEFL exam (or equivalent measures).
  • Sufficient hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate complex mechanical and electronic instruments (e.g., compound microscope, spectrophotometer, centrifuge, electronic balance, computer terminal, semi-automated pipetting device, etc.); and perform complex manual techniques (e.g., drawing blood, plating bacterial culture, manipulating microscope slides, test tubes, etc.).
  • Sufficient sound judgement and coping skills to perform effectively and function independently in stressful academic and clinical laboratory environments.
  • Sufficient emotional health and psychological/social adjustment to cooperate effectively in group activities and assignments and to perform in an ethical manner with professional colleagues and patients.
  • Sufficient confidence and maturity, upon training to draw blood from fellow students, faculty, and/or patients as well as to handle it properly, using universal safety Standard Precautions as a part of performing clinical laboratory analysis in a student or clinical laboratory environment.

Program Mission
It is the mission of the Mercyhurst North East Medical Laboratory Technician program to anticipate the healthcare needs of the Pennsylvania community and surrounding communities and to respond by recruiting and educating a diverse group of quality laboratory professionals, while fostering collaborative relationships that generate new knowledge through innovation, technology, research, and education.

Program Vision
The vision of the Mercyhurst North East Medical Laboratory Technician Program is to enhance the community of healthcare through the quality of our graduates, scholarly activities, collaborative efforts and community interactions.

Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the Mercyhurst North East Medical Laboratory Technician program is as follows: We believe that as medical laboratory professionals we have a duty to uphold and maintain the dignity and respect of our profession and strive to maintain a reputation of honesty, integrity and reliability. We believe that the knowledge and skills obtained in pursuing an education in the medical laboratory field involves truly learning and perfecting an art that is to be valued and respected. We believe that as educators we have a duty to society to maintain the highest level of competence that is reserved for the professionals in the field.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are encouraged to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry examination in order to be a certified MLT (ASCP). Several states have independent licensure of Medical Laboratory Technicians and it may be a requirement to work in a clinical laboratory in that particular state. Upon completion of the MLT program, students will be eligible to sit for ASCP and NCA certification exams. Further information is available at ascp.org.

Program Outcomes:
  • Apply knowledge of methodologies for all major areas currently practiced by a modern laboratory including problem solving and troubleshooting techniques
  • Collect, prepare, examine and analyze blood, body fluids and other biological specimens for a wide variety of routine and specialized laboratory tests.
  • Apply knowledge of laboratory results used in diagnosis and treatment of patients.
  • Accurately communicate and report test results in a timely and efficient manner to serve the needs of the patients and the public.
  • Demonstrate proper techniques and competencies to operate standard and specialized laboratory equipment as well as be able to participate.
  • Apply knowledge of and demonstrate proper techniques for Quality Assessment in the laboratory.
  • Maintain safe practices and comply with all regulatory guidelines when performing laboratory techniques.
  • Demonstrate proper information processing in the clinical laboratory to include specimen and result handling communicating effectively with clients, families, significant others, and members of the health care team.
Program Requirements:

A minimum of 64 credits is required for the completion of this associate degree program. An overall of 2.0 GPA is required by the end of the 4th term and for graduation. No grade below a C is accepted in any MLT course. Any student achieving less than a C in any MLT course will have to repeat the course before continuing the program.

REACH(A)
Mercyhurst - Associate REACH
HUMAN BIOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 120
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
A basic biological study of man, examining human evolution, organ systems, genetics, behavior, and human interaction with the environment. Does not fulfill Biology major requirements.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:
BIO 121
x
BIO 120
HUMAN BIOLOGY
3

AND

HUMAN BIOLOGY LAB
Course Code:
BIO 121
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

A laboratory class designed to demonstrate through models, microscopic work, and dissection the information presented in BIO 120.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 15
Corequisites:

BIO 120

x
BIO 121
HUMAN BIOLOGY LAB
1
MICROBIOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 200
Course Group(s):
BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES, UPPER-LEVEL BIO, FIELD STUDIES AND TRAVEL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
The study of bacteria and other microbes with emphasis on their structure and function, ecology, biochemistry and research methodologies. The course reviews the biology of microbes and their use as biological and medical research tools. Prerequisites: BIO 142. Corequisite:. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:
BIO 140 OR BIO 142
Corequisites:
BIO 201
x
BIO 200
MICROBIOLOGY
3

AND

MICROBIOLOGY LAB
Course Code:
BIO 201
Course Group(s):
UPPER-LEVEL BIO, FIELD STUDIES AND TRAVEL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
An examination of microbes in the biosphere. Microbial collection, culturing, product analysis, aseptic techniques and microscopy are emphasized.
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 15
Corequisites:
BIO 200
x
BIO 201
MICROBIOLOGY LAB
1
PARASITOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 294
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
The study of biology of parasitic and pathogenic microorganisms that cause harm and disease in other organisms, especially plants and animals. The parasites discussed in this course may include fungi, protists, viruses, roundworms and flatworms as well as the animals that act as vectors and intermediate hosts in the transmission of these pathogens from host to host.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
BIO 294
PARASITOLOGY
3
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
Course Code:
CHEM 121
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
First of two-course sequence that provides an introduction to general chemistry required for science majors. Emphasizes quantitative chemical principles. Prerequisite: Chemical background equivalent to one year of high school chemistry and MATH 111 or mathematical equivalent to two years of high school algebra.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:
CHEM 122
x
CHEM 121
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
3

AND

GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
Course Code:
CHEM 122
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
Experimental work corequisite to General Chemistry I.
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Total hours: 7.5
Corequisites:
CHEM 121
x
CHEM 122
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
1
BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Course Code:
CHEM 123
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Course Description:
This course will focus on the evolving science of life chemistry. The broad subject of biochemistry will be explored from the molecular level covering DNA/RNA and other protein structure, synthesis and function as well as Genome sequencing, enzymes, hemoglobin carbohydrates, and other regulatory systems of the human body.
Credit:
3
x
CHEM 123
BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
3

AND

BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB
Course Code:
CHEM 124
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL
Course Description:
The lab will explore the role of RNA/DNA proteins, genomes, carbohydrates and other biochemical functions of the human body.
Credit:
1
x
CHEM 124
BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB
1
CLINICAL LABORATORY I
Course Code:
MLT 111
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course will be an introductory level course designed to teach the basic functions of the clinical laboratory. It will cover laboratory operations, quality assessment, specimen collection, handling, preparation, Complete Urinalysis, Body Fluids analysis and Basic Hematology principles and techniques.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MLT 111
CLINICAL LABORATORY I
3
CLINICAL LABORATORY II
Course Code:
MLT 112
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course will introduce the student to the basic laboratory concepts and laboratory test procedures used in the clinical laboratory with an emphasis on Coagulation (hemostasis), Immunology, and basic Blood Banking principles and techniques. The theory and procedures for common manual lab tests such as rheumatoid factor, heterophile antibodies and HCG are also included in this course

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MLT 112
CLINICAL LABORATORY II
3
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Course Code:
MLT 150
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course is designed to prepare the student to gain in- depth understanding of bacterial pathogens and the testing used to identify these organisms in the clinical lab. Normal flora of the human body will be discussed, as well as characteristics of theses genera of microbial flora. Bacterial pathogens will be explored using an organ system approach, with focus being on proper specimen collection and testing. Didactic and hands-on laboratory exercises will serve to introduce to the student to these topics, as well as microbiology laboratory safety, aseptic technique, biochemical, immunological and molecular testing techniques.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
MLT 150
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
4
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
Course Code:
MLT 160
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course is designed to be introductory to the field of Clinical Chemistry that is the field of Chemistry concerned with testing of human derived specimens for the purpose of healthcare. We will explore topics including basic principles and practices of clinical chemistry including specimen requirements, specimen collection, lab supplies, reagents, method evaluation, quality management, and statistics. We will delve into analytical techniques used in the contemporary clinical chemistry lab including spectrophotometry, photometry, electrochemistry, electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, proteomics, and osmometry. We will also explore the principles of clinical chemistry automation, Immunoassay, Molecular (Nucleic Acid Based) techniques, and Point of Care testing. In the second half of the course, we will further expand topics including basic principles and practices of clinical chemistry including lab safety, specimen requirements, specimen collection, lab supplies, reagents, method evaluation, quality management, and statistics. We will work on polishing those hands-on skills necessary to be a successful entry level MLT. We will cover the topics of body chemistry to include electrolytes, blood gases, pH, buffer systems, trace elements, porphyrins and hemoglobin. We will learn the laboratory role involved with each of the organ systems such as hormones: pituitary, adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid, calcium homeostasis, liver function, renal function, pancreatic function, gastrointestinal function, and body fluid analysis. We will also learn about specialty areas of the clinical lab to include: therapeutic drug monitoring, toxicology, and tumor markers. Students should develop a masteryofskills necessary to enter the clinical rotations at various laboratories.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
MLT 160
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
4
CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY
Course Code:
MLT 220
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course designed to prepare the student to gain a general understanding of and apply hematology principles and applications for use in laboratory medicine. A course on the formation and maturation of blood cells, basic laboratory hematologic techniques and disorders of erythrocytes, leukocytes, plasma, and hemostasis.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MLT 220
CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY
3
SEROLOGY/BLOOD BANKING
Course Code:
MLT 225
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course designed to prepare the student to gain a general understanding of and apply hematology principles and applications for use in laboratory medicine. A course on the formation and maturation of blood cells, basic laboratory hematologic techniques and disorders of erythrocytes, leukocytes, plasma, and hemostasis.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MLT 225
SEROLOGY/BLOOD BANKING
4
CLINICAL LABORATORY SEMINAR
Course Code:
MLT 250
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

Clinical Laboratory Seminar builds upon the knowledge base the student possesses from passing all the MLT classes up to this point. It provides an opportunity for self- exploration of special topics of interest to the student with which they will gain a broader understanding of laboratory medicine.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
MLT 250
CLINICAL LABORATORY SEMINAR
3
CLINICAL LABORATORY EXTERNSHIP
Course Code:
MLT 251
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course is primarily a fieldwork externship in which the student will rotate through various clinical laboratory settings in which they will be able to gain valuable hand-on experience. This course is designed to be very individualized and the students will be accountable for their own objectives based learning. The Clinical laboratory externship will emphasize the basic laboratory principles upon which the students can build a broader understanding of laboratory medicine.

Credit:
9
Instruction methods:
Field
x
MLT 251
CLINICAL LABORATORY EXTERNSHIP
9
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
Course Code:
STAT 109
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the uses of statistics and probability as decision and problem solving tools. Topics included are: measures of central tendency; variability; probability; counting, binomial distribution; normal distribution; confidence intervals correlation and regression; hypothesis testing, statistical inference, sampling techniques and experimental design. Prerequisite: MATH Placement score of at least 30.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
STAT 109
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
3
Menu
Degrees & Certificates
A-Z By Department By Area of Interest
Course Descriptions
By Course Code (A-Z) By Department
COVID-19 Disclaimer
Mercyhurst University
Campus and Buildings Introduction Mission and Values Notice of Non-Discrimination The North East Campus
Academic Affairs
Academic Calendar and Credit Hours Academic Honesty Academic Standards and Grades Academic Transcripts Class Attendance Class Standing and Student Status Competency Requirements Cooperative Academic Agreements Graduation Requirements Internships and Off-Campus Learning Experiences Nontraditional College Credit Privacy: FERPA and HIPAA Reach Curriculum Registration Policies and Procedures Transfer Credits Examination Credit Student Grievance Policy
Academic Services and Support
Academic Success Center at North East Campus Career Development Center Learning Differences and Academic Accommodations Mercyhurst Honors Program Perkins - North East Campus Prestigious Awards The Testing, Tutoring, and Writing Centers University Libraries Academic Support
Admissions
Admissions Decisions Confirmation Deposit Adult Enrollment Campus Visits International Students North East Admissions Transfer Policy
Student Financial Services
Financial Aid Awarding Policies State Grants, Scholarships and Other Programs Tuition and Fees Tuition and Fees - North East Campus
Student Life
ADA Accommodations Athletics Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) Campus Involvement Center Campus Ministry Counseling Center Health Center Veterans’ Resources Mercyhurst Student Government North East Student Life Police and Safety Services Residence Life Student Handbook Student Conduct Code Community Engagement